tonya's diary
what i'm thinking about
Widely known for distinctive excellence
// an iconic writer
// a region’s iconic wines
What makes you iconic?
I remember being a little girl hiding in the magazine aisle at Piggly Wiggly, our local grocery store, fascinated by the pages of Vogue.
I didn’t have a lot of exposure to fashion or stylish women growing up …
But something inside of me knew I wanted to live a stylish life, and it’s taken me to the most incredible places.
I believe the fundamental requirement for being iconic is defining your style –
Style is about so much more than what you wear; it’s about how you “do” every aspect of your life –
From where you live to how you spend your days to what you choose for a career.
For today, let’s start with our wardrobe since that’s the aspect of my style that’s been one of the most fun.
My style philosophy is simple:
Dress for your dreams.
What does the confident version of you choose for the work presentation?
What does the sexy version of you put on for date night?
What does the iconic version of you choose from her closet for the grocery store? (Yes, you can even be iconic when you’re shopping the produce aisle. Why not?)
Style has the ability to change your entire life.
Let’s use it as a tool to express our distinctive excellence.
Welcome to the Iconic Issue. I know you’re going to love it.
P.S. Everyone has style but not everyone has purposeful style. Without a personal style statement, you’ll have a hard time creating a style that truly feels like you.
For a crash course on creating your iconic style, listen to this week’s podcast:
The Importance of a Style Statement
The Thought Edit
A New Thought to Restyle Your Mind
So why do we wait for special occasions to wear our favorite outfits?
I want you to decide to make every day special. Even if no one else is going to see you today, YOU are going to see you –
And you’re the most important person in the entire world.
You deserve to look and feel your best – just for you.
If style has always felt like too much work for you (or too overwhelming), I hope this thought helps:
Effortless style is just as easy as putting in no effort at all.
How easy is it to do a sleek bun and a stylish dress? Add some chic slides, and you are ready to go.
The first outfit in this Instagram reel took me 5 minutes to put together.
I swear it would have taken me the same amount of time to put on sweats. Try it!
SOPHISTICATES
Ideas for Elevating from Our Members
Sexy Confident Chic
with Jennifer Marie Porter
“I am loving my growth with SOSI. I’m not the best at completing the monthly topics. (I tend to jump around a lot.) But just by showing up here, I’m making micro improvements that add up.
Recently, I have been updating my style, and the best part: I am feeling sexy, confident, and chic, even though I am not at the elusive ‘perfect weight / super fit’ body I desire.
This newest purchase is my favorite! So comfortable, chic, flattering. Easy to style up or down and on sale. Dresses are the best!
P.S. Check out how Jennifer styled one dress in 3 different ways! So smart.
Want to join me live, in person at SOSI Desert Live? You’ll meet 200+ other women who love style and are actively evolving their self-image. Read all the details below.
A Taste of Style
Making the Everyday Extraordinary
Find Your Style Muse
I have so many style muses. Lately, I cannot get enough of Rosie Huntingon-Witeley.
I love how her looks are effortless, sophisticated, and chic.
To see more of her style, look for her on Instagram @rosiehw
Tell her @TonyaLeigh sent you and that I adore her iconic style!
And use #sosistyle to show me how your iconic style is coming together! I want to see the looks that make you feel most like the iconic version of you.
*Special note for my SOSI ladies: Review the style statement masterclass to hone your iconic style. And be on the lookout for some very exciting new content on style coming soon.
HAUTE HABITS
Habits for Creating the Impossible
Pinterest is my favorite go-to resource for inspiration, especially in the area of style, and you know I’m on a style journey right now.
Follow my Personal Style Pinterest board to see how my personal style statement is evolving!
In the Bag
Tools for REinvention
Mix High and Low-Cost Pieces for Effortless Chic
Here’s one of my top style secrets.
Don’t be afraid to mix high and low-cost pieces. A fancy necklace with a t-shirt or a pair of sneakers with a cute skirt.
One of my favorite purchases of the season is the Reyes Chain necklace by Cult Gaia. It adds a pop of fancy to anything I pair it with.
And here’s another trick.
Don’t just consider the cost. Consider the cost per wear.
If an item is more expensive but it’s classic or higher quality, you’ll get more wears out of it and your cost per wear goes down.
My cost per wear on the Reyes Chain is about $2.00 when you look at how often I wear it, and I’ve only had it for about four months.
It’s also one of the accessories I get asked about the most.
If this one is sold out (as it often is), there are other similar ones to try.
The Toast
Your Invitation to Connect & Celebrate
Celebrate Your Style History
You know I don’t talk about my past often. But one place I do like to look back is in the area of style.
I think it’s easy to cringe at old choices but what if instead, we celebrated how far we’ve come?
Here are a few of my favorite drab, yet oh-so-loveable Tonya moments from the past 10 years.
As you can see, black and white was my go-to wardrobe (because I didn’t have a clue as to what I was doing).
Style is something that can evolve with you.
And I always want to be evolving.
It’s personal. It’s a reflection of your life.
It’s how you present yourself to the world.
And do you know what I think the most important style statement is?
“I’m a Worthy Woman.”
You sure are.
Above all else, THAT is what makes you iconic.
To your lifelong style adventure,
// TheEDIT
A weekly digital magazine by the School of Self-Image
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